Fire extinguishing medium distribution system



Feb. 27, 1934. w. H. FREYGANG 1,948,753

FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1930 lO Sheets-Sheet l wall-w HFPeJqan BY A RNEYS,

Feb. 27, 1934. W, H FREY'GANG 1,948,753

FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Aug. e, 1930 1o sheets-sheet s NvENToR va/nr H. ne

we BY X9 Feb. 27, 1934. w. H. FREYGANG 1,948,753

FIREv EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 J5-5 5 g 5 Xl Il kl 5 f l i BY m@ Feb. 27, 1934. w, H. FREYGANG FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1930 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ebb Ow mh,

. @n l v i GQ QB R 2 ao Feb. 27, 1934. w. H. FREYGANG 1,948,753

FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM f Filed Aug. 6, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Wa/er H.Fre gah? BY {QWJFL L13/ AT RNms,

Feb. 27, 1934. w. H. FREYGANG 1,948,753

FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 195o 1o sneets-sheet 7 l 4" y 42 o /04- l o O O O G 97 6* /05 6 z m3 g 93 v W INVENTOR Feb. ,27, 1934. w. H. FREYGANG 1,948,753

FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM I Filed Aug. e, 195o 1o sheets-Sheet 8 wa/f r/l-Fe gang 9/ *BY Mila. A

A RNEYS Feb. 27, 1934.

W. H. FREYGANG FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1930 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Aug. e, 1930l 1o Sheets-sheet 1o l NVENTOR Patented Feb. 27, 1934 PATENT; OFFICE FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Walter H. Freygang, Weehawken, N. J., assigner to Walter Kidde & Company, Inc., a corporation of New York Application August 6, `1930. Serial No. 473,333

, 5 Claims.

The present invention relates toa fire extinguishing system of the type in which the fire extinguishing medium is a fluid stored under pressure in limited quantities in one `or more containers from which it is released into a distributing pipe system in case of fire. In view ofthe limited supply of iiuid which may be a gas or a vaporizable liquid, such as liquid carbon dioxide, andthe pressure under which it is stored, which pressure is a desirable factor in the rapid discharge of the fluid, escape of the fluid due to leakage must be absolutely avoided. Hence the fluid is stored in one or more containers, which experience has proved can Lbe maintained leakage tight over long periods of time. The invention is, therefore, to be distinguished from gas fire extinguishing systems in which the gas is allowed to ll the distributing pipe system and from which it is discharged through sprinkler heads or some type of valve. In such systems experience has proved that it is not only difficult, but practically impossible to make the pipe system leakage tight over long periods of time.

The chief advantage of a fire extinguishing system employing a gas or varporizable fluid extinguishing medium under considerable pressure is that the expansion of the medium whenvdischarged causes it to quickly fill the space on fire and to smother the fire by cutting off the supply of combustion supporting air. Gaseous mediums can, therefore, extinguish fires in the most Ainaccessible of locations. The pressure under which the medium is stored enables large quantities to be stored in small spaces and also resultsin rapid discharge with consequent rapid formation of a fire smothering atmosphere.

It is, therefore, an object of the present -invention to provide a system of the type described which is automatically operable, but which may also be operated manually in the emergency.

In view of the cost of installations `of this nature and the space required for the storage containers, it is desirable hat the limited supply of uid, which is calcula ed to be sufficient inquantity to handle a fire in the largest one of a plurality of spaces to be protected, be capable of being directed automatically to any one of the plurality of spaces. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to pro-vide a system of the type-described with means to automatically distribute the extinguishing fluid to the proper one of aplurality of spaces to be protected by a given limited supply of the fluid.

It is desirable and in many cases required by the National Board of Fire Underwriters that the (Cl. 16S- 11) operation of fire extinguishing systems be mechanical as distinguished from electrical, so that operation thereof may be entirely independent of sources of electrical energy which may fail at the crucial moment. It is, therefore, an object of co air, which becomes heated in the presence of 'o fire.

In order to obtain a still quicker release of the extinguishing fluid, it is an object of the present inventionto provide an air pressure system of this type with a rate of rise device responsive to the rate of increase in pressure of an enclosed body of air whichis normally vented to the at-.. mosphere by a minute vent which relieves any pressure developed by a gradual rise in pressure due to climatic changes, but which will not re- '5 lieve rapid increases of pressure developed upon the occurrence of fire. In this connection, see the United States Patent #1,269,556.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide systems of the types described with gravity-operated valves and gas release means as being mosteffective in the preferred mechanical type of system.

A further object is to provide a system in which the gas release means is pressure-operated 9 but gravity-initiated.

A further object is to provide a system in which the operation of any distributing valve initiates the operation of the gas release means.

These and many other objects, as will appear from the following disclosure, are secured with the use of this invention.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement, and

relative location of parts, all as will be described in greater detail hereinafter..

' Referring to the drawings- Figures 1 and 2 represent two oors of a building to which this invention has been applied;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional line through such 105 dampers 17 in some of the windows.

Fig. 6 is a view partly in section of a pressure operated trip device;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view;

Fig. 8 is a view showing the manner in which the pressure operated trip is applied to a Window;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View throughy the casing of the pressure operated switch which controls the signal circuits;

Fig. 10 is a simple diagrammatic view of the signal circuit;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the main part of the system showing the way in which the system is set in operation and the gas released from its containers;

Fig. 12 is a view partly in section of the multiple pull mechanism; l

Fig. 13 is a, View partly in section of the pressure gang release device;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the release device which is constructed so as to beA operable automatically by the system or manually when desired;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged side elevational view of the containers, valve thereon, and the mechanism by means of which they are operated including the arrangement for operating the valve which supplies gas to the-pressure gang release device;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of these parts;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged elevational view of the details of the release devices;

Fig. 18 is an end elevational view of the parts;

Figs. 19 and 20 are similar views of a modied arrangement; and

Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail view.

There are now known in the art automatic and manually operable re extinguishing systems employing fire extinguishing gas. The general object of this invention is the provision of a system of this type which has many novel features and which at the same time eliminates many of the disadvantages of prior systems. Rather than describe these features and advantages in the abstract reference will be made directly to the drawings where these features will be developed in connection with the detailed description of the system.

The system of the inventionl has been shown as applied to a two story building comprising two large rooms. The system can, of course, be applied to any space which it is desired to protect against re and besides buildings it may be applied to vessels, power plants, electric generators, and in fact to any space to be protected. Figi 1 shows the first floor plan and Fig. 2 shows the second floor plan. The building is indicated diagrammatically and'generally at 1 and is shown provided with a number of window openings 33 on the rst floor and 33 on the second oor. 'I'he building is also shown with one doorway controlled by a door 16 on the first iioor and a door 16 on the second oor. Theflrst floor is shown with a Ventilating damper 17 in the wall and the second floor is shown with Ventilating These elements have been shown to illustrate the feature of this invention of pressure operated devices for closing the doors and windows and shutting the Ventilating dampers in case of fire. There has been shown supported on the outside of the building in Fig. 1 the fire extinguishing gas containers 55 and 56. These containers have been shown on the outside of the building for the obvious reason that thereby they are kept out of the Space which is liable to fire conditions. They can, of course, be placed at any desired point either in the building, on the roof, or in the cellar. The association of the elements has, of course, been shown diagrammatically in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, because the actual arrangement is gone into in greater detail in the following iigures.

Pipe 2 connects these containers to the distribution system and is provided with the valves 3 and 4. Valve 4 controlsy pipe 6 on the first floor which is connected to the distribution system comprising pipes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Valve 3 controls branch pipe 26 leading to the second floor which has a connection 6 connected to the distributing system comprising the pipes 7', 8, 9', 10', 11 and 12.Y It is, of course, apparent that the distribution system may have any desired form and can extend to any points in the room which need to be particularly protected. On the first oor there are provided a plurality of gas discharge nozzles 13 and on the second floor gas discharge nozzles 13. At each closed end of the system there is provided an extension 14 beyond the last nozzle which is called a dust leg and is provided for blowing out the distribution system from time to time. to remove scale and dirt therefrom. The system can be blown out either by compressedair or by the extinguishing gas itself. At the proper points in the distribution system there are provided'on the first floor the pressure operated trip devices 15 and, likewise, pressure operated trip devices 15 are provided on the second floor. These devices are provided Vadjacent the windows it is desired to control, the

Ventilating dampers, and the doors.

At 18, 19 and 20 on the first floor and 18', 19 and 20' on the second oor are the protecting pipes for the small bore tubes which are used in connection with the air pressure operated release device of the type such as disclosed in the Lowe Patent No. 1,269,556. This device is also known as a rate of rise heat actuated device. These small tubes extend to the heat actuated elements 21 and 22' on the first floor and 21 and 22 on the second floor. These heat actuated elements are also disclosed in the above patent to form part of that system.I There has been diag'rammatically illustrated at 23 on the first fioor and ZSn the second fioor the pressure operated switch hich controls the circuits for the signal devices 24 and 24 and the current. sources 25 and 25 respectively It is, of course, understood that these signal devices 24 and 24 are located at some central control point, such for instance as at the watchmans station, to give a signal to him not only that a flre has occurred but that the gas extinguishing medium has been released within the space in which the fire condition exists. At 27 and 28 on the first iioor and 29 and 30 on the second floor are branches of the fire extinguishing system which may extend vertically in-either direction. These are merely illustrative to show that the distribution system may have any desired form. At 31 in Fig. 2 is the protecting pipe and the small bore tubing y located with respect thereto so that the flre extinguishing gas may be projected directly thereon.

The dust leg, although known in the art, has been shown in enlarged form in Fig. 5, as well as one of the discharge nozzles. The distributing pipe has the discharge nozzle 13 therein through which the nre extinguishing gas is delivered and extending therebeyond is` the dust leg 14 which is closed by means of a cap 14a. Into this leg is blown any dirt or dust which may collect in the the nozzles may not be clogged up and it is customary periodically to blow the pipe lines out with compressed air or the extinguishing gas itself` to insure that the system is in operative condition.

The pressure operated trip device is shown comprising a casing 36 which receives the pipe that connects it to the system at one end and which is closed at the other end by means of a plug 37 when the pressure trip'device is at the end of a pipe line. When connected directly in a continuing pipe line, the pressure trip device casing 36 receives apipe connection at both ends to provide a passage straight through it. This casing is provided with a suitable supporting bracket 38. Within the casing is a small cylinder 39 in which operates a piston 40. The piston 40 is provided with a small piston rod 41 which projects from the casing 36 and is provided with a groove near one end. This piston -40 is normally held so that the rod 4l projects by means of a spring as shown in Fig. 7.

The manner of associating such a device with f a window is shown in Fig. 8. Secured to the window is a cord or cable 42 which is provided with a ring 43. which ring ts over the rod 41 and lies in thergroove on the under side thereof.,

The type of window shown is such that when the pin 41 is withdrawn from ring 43 it may fall closed by gravity. Similar devices are used for shutting the dampers, closing the doors and for actuating any other device, either to open or close it, start a base 43 having a bored internally threaded hub 44 by means of which it is connected through a pipe to the distribution system. A small cylinder 45 is provided in which a piston 46 operates. This piston has a projecting piston rod, as shown. Within the ca sing 52 is a suitable support 47 on which is pivotally supported at 48 themercury switch base 49. This base supports in suitable grips a mercury switch cartridge 50 of 'any well known type. At 51 are terminal connections shown in duplicate by means of which more than one signal device may be connected to the switch if desired. The top of the casing 52 is provided with a pipe 53 through which the signal circuit wires may extend their protection. The piston. rod engages the cartridge support 49 and when piston 46 moves upwardly it causes support 49 to rotate so that the mercury in the cartridge will complete the circuit in the usual manner.

At 54is a manually operated plunger for returning the switch to the position shown in. the gure, which is the position in which this switch opens the circuit it controls. A leaf spring is provided to hold the switch in its normal-position. The circuit for the signal device is shown in Fig. 10. The cartridge 50 controls this circuit and a signal device,` such as a bell, has been shown `-uting system is shown in Fig. 11.

at 24. The two wires run to a suitable current source.

The general combination comprising the part of the apparatus to be connected to the distrib- The main group of containers for the carbonic acid gas, which is normally held therein in the form of a liquid, is shown at 55, while the auxiliary group by means of which the gang pressure release device is operated as shown at 56. Of'course the number of cylinders varies with the size of the space to be protected and the amount of gas it is desirable to have on hand. These containers are held in suitable racks 57. Each container is provided with a valve as has been indicated diagrammatically. The containers 55 are provided with the valves 58 and the containers 56 are provided with the valves 75. These valves are operated by means of levers59 and 76 which are secured to the valve stems and to operating cables 70 and 78. The containers 55 are connected by pipes 60 to the pipe manifold 74 and the containers 56 are connected to the pipe manifold 120 by means of the connecting pipes 122.

Pipe 2 connects theA distributing system with the manifold 74. Cable 70 passes around the corner pulley 71 and is attached to the piston Within the pressure gang release device, as clearly shown in Fig. 13. The details of this feature are clearly shown in Fig. 13 where the corner pulley 71 is shown comprising a casing having the cable guides 71a and 71h. The pressure gang release device comprisesa cylinder 73 secured to the base 73C. In this cylinder is slidably movable a piston 73? which is connected by a piston rod 72*t in the coupling device 70a to the cable 70. At 74 is an outlet from cylinder 73, while the pressure supply pipe is connected at the point 73d. Secured to the cylinder 73 by the coupling nipple 73a is a protecting casing 72 for the piston rod and cable. A protecting pipe 71c extends from this casing to the corner pulley. Cable 78 extends around a similar corner pulley 81 and attaches a hook 82b on the release device 84 which will be described in detail later. Pipe 120 is connected by branch 123 to a valve 124, which in turn is connected by pipe 125 to cylinder 73 at the point 73d (Fig. 13). Valve'124 is provided with an operating lever 77 which is also connected to cable 78. Attached to cable 78 at the-point where the corresponding lever is secured thereto are the weights 79 and 80. Pipe 74 is connected by branch 74 Vto the point 74*l to the cylinder 73 (Fig. 13). Each pipe manifold 74 and 120 is provided with a safety outlet device 121. These devices are well known in the prior art and comprise in one form a thin disc of frangible material which breaks above a predetermined pressure to permit the escape of gas so as not to strain the system.

Secured to the releasing device 84 is a cable 86 winch passes through a protecting pipe 87,

around corner pulley 88, through protecting pipe 89 into the multiple pull mechanism 89. Here,

cable 98 to be operated thereby.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, the method of attaching the levers for operating the valves and the weightsto the cables is shown. These views are in connection with the structure used with containers 56. The same construction is used with containers 55 but the weights are omitted.

`Container 56 is shown provided with the valve which has attached to its stem the operating lever 76. This operating lever and the link 79a of the weight 79 are attached to cable 78 by means of a clamping device 79C. The valve stem 1248L of valve 124 is connected by a lever 77 to cable 78 by means of a similar clamp 77a. The weight 80 is likewise attached by means of the link 80a to this clamp. The discharge side of valve 75 is connected by pipe 122 to the coupling T 120a which unites pipes 120 and 123. The corner pulley construction is shown clearly in Fig. l5 in which the protecting pipe at the point of issuance of the cable is provided with a so-called cable flare 81a.

The details of the weight supporting mechanism which operate valves 3 and 4 are shown in Figs. 17 and 18. At 101 and 107 are the compressed air operated devices which are attached to the heat actuated devices 21, 22, 21 and 22', respectively (Figs. l and 2). These devices are disclosed in the above mentioned Lowe patent and comprise by themselves no part of this invention. The sector attached to the valve stem of valve 4 is in the form shown and is attached by means of an eyebolt 104a to cable 104. This cable is provided with a button 106 at the end, which cable flts into the slotted end of lever 150. Eyebolt 101ia and its nut fit in the slotted end of sector 111.

Pivotally supported at 152 and held in the position shown by the spring is a crank 152 having a projecting arm which lies in back of the button 106. The other end of this crank is connected to cable 154 which Aextends around the corner pulley 153. Weight 91 is attached to sector 111 by a short length of cable 91B which lies in a groove on the circumference of the sector. Cable 102, which passes through pipe 90, is connected to the cylindrical weight 103 which rests on weight 91. The branch pipe 6 extends to the distribution system of oor 1 and is provided with the pressure operated switch for the signal circuit as shown at 23. In an alternative arrangement the pressure operated switch can be connected to branch 74a (Fig. 11) of the main manifold..

In a similar way cable 98 is connected to an eyebolt 114 to support sector 114 mounted on the valve stem of valve 3. Weight 99 is attached to sector 114 at the circumference as described in connection with weight 91. Cable 92 in the projecting pipe 100 is attached to the cylindrical weight 97 which rests on the weight 99. The upper end of cable 98 is provided with a button 98, which cable ilts in the slotted end of lever 151 on the compressedair operated device 101. As before, the crank 155 is pivotally mounted at 155 and held in the position shown by a spring. This crank has a projecting arm which lies in back of the button 98a. The other end of the crank is attached'to cable 157 which vpasses around the corner pulley 156. Pipe 6 extends to the distribution system of the second floor, and likewise, may be provided with a pressure operated switch for the signal control circuit. The devices 101 and 107 are described in detail in the Lowe patent and may be briefly 'stated to consist of mechanism which is operated by the compressed air generated in the piping systems 18' and 18, respectively, when the temperature in the space to be protected is raised by a re.

A .slightly modified form of structure corresponding to that in Figs. 17 and 18 is disclosed in Figs. 19 and 20. In this case only one-half of the mechanism is shown in detail since the parts are the same. Cable 98, as before, connects by the eyebolt 1148L to sector 114 secured to the valve stem of valve 3. Secured to this sector and lying in a groove on the circumference thereof (Fig. 20) is the cable 99a which is attached to weight 99. Rotatably supported on the bearing 160 is a shaft 161 which is provided with a lever 162 having a large 'weight 163 on the end thereof. In this case cable 92 is attached to the lever 162, as shown. A short arm 164 is secured to shaft 161 and is arranged so as to be rotated by the sector 114 when weight 99 is released. The compressed air operated device is constructed as before and clearly shows in this gure the manner in which the small bored tubing extends through the upper pipe for protection. In this case a lever 155 is attached to cable 157 which passes around the corner pulley 156 and extends in a direction at right angles to the direction in which it extends in the other arrangement.

Fig. 21 shows the details of this arrangement in enlarged form.

The releasing device to which the various cables are secured is clearly shown in Fig. 14. It comprises a supporting plate 84 which has lugs 84 thereon to pivotally support a bell crank lever which comprises the arms 84EL and 84. Arm 84a is attached by means of a spring 84b to the supporting plate to hold this bell crank lever in the position shown. The outer end of arm 84a is provided with an eyebolt 85. The outer end of arm 84c-is made in the form of a hook as shown. Pivotally supported on plates 84 by means of the lugs 82EL is a lever 82 which is provided at one end with a projecting lug 82b and is formed into a hook at 82. The two hooks engage, as shown, to hold the parts in their normal position as depicted. As shown in Fig. 11, cable 78 is attached to the lug 82b and cable 86 is attached to eyebolt 85.

A description of the operation of this system will now be given. The system under normal conditions has its parts in the position indicated in Fig. 11 at whichtime there is no extinguishing medium in any of the pipe system since it is held locked in the containers 55 and 56.

Assuming, for example, that a ilre breaks out on a floor of`one of the buildings, the heat generated thereby raises the pressure of the air in the heat responsive devices 21 or 22. This pressure is communicated through the small bored tubing to the compressed air operated device 107. This actuates the device to release lever 150 (Fig. 17) so that' it may rotate in a clockwise direction. As a result the cable 104 slips off the end thereof releasing weight 91. This weight causes sector 111 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. causing valve 4 to open. The downward movement of weight 91 releases weight 103 so that it' pulls downwardly on cable 102. This pull on cable 102 is transmitted to the cable 86 through the multiple pull mechanism and finally to arm 84a of the bell crank lever through the eyebolt connection 85. This causes the hooked end of the bell crank lever to rotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 14) releasing lever 82. This lever 82 rotates ina clockwise direction permitting cable 78 to slip oi the lug 82". The release of this cable permits weights 79 and 80 to pull downwardly on the corresponding levers 76 and 77. Asa result valves '75 and 124 are opened. Gas then escapes from cylinders 56 into the manifold 120 through branch 123, valve 124, and pipe 125 to cylinder 73 at its upper end. The pressure of this gas acting on the piston '13b in the cylinder causes the piston-to move downwardly pulling with it cable 70. This pull on the cable causes all of the valves 58 of the containers 55 to be opened through the agency of levers 59. As a result the gas escapes from these cylinders into manifold Y'74 and from there to pipe 2. The gas may then escape from pipe 2 through branch 6 since valve 4 is already open and from thence to the pipe distributing system on the rst floor. When piston '73b moves down to uncover port '74a the gas in cylinder 73, having accomplished its work, may escape through pipe 74 into manifold 74 and thence to the distributing system to do useful work in extinguishing the fire.

As soon as gas pressure is created in pipe 6 the pressure operated switch 23 is closed completing the signal circuit and causing the signal device to give an indication that theV lire extinguishing gas has reached the distributing system. If desired such switch may be connected into the v distributing system right in the space to be protected and the signal circuit extended back to the control station but it is preferable to use the arrangement shown in Fig. 17 thus eliminating danger of interruption of the electrical circuit by a fire. When the fire extinguishing gas reaches the distribution system in the space to be protected it operates any of the pressure trip devices connected thereto to close the doors and the windows, to shut the Ventilating darnpers and to operate or stop ythe operation of any devices which might aid the fire.

These same operations may be elected manually by a guard or watchman pulling on either cables 154 or 157, depending upon which floor the iire occurs. By pulling on these .cables the corresponding lever 152 or 155 is caused to rotate to force button 10G-or 98 cff its supporting arm thereby releasing weight 91 and causing the apparatus to operate as before. A suitable pull handle or levei` to be attached to these cables may be extended to any desired point or points as has been indicated at B2 in Figs. 1 and 2. It is apparent from Fig. 12 that regardless of which weight 91 and 99 is released to pull thereof is transmitted to cable 86 through the multiple pull mechanism so that if a fire occurs on either one I or both of the oors the apparatus is sure to work.

In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 19 and 20 when the fluid pressure operated device 101 is actuated lever 151 is released so that cable 98 may slip therefrom. As a result weight 99 causes sector 114 to rotate in a counter-clock wise direction opening valve 3. At the same time shaft 161 is caused to rotate by the pressure of the sector 114 on the arm 164. This causes lever 162 to rotate far enough so that weight 163 is past the center. This lever 162 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, when viewed as in Fig. 20. Weight 163 then pulls on cable 92 which, as before, is connected to the eyebolt 85 of the release device. The operations then proceed as before. This mechanism can also be operated manually by pulling cable 157 which causes lever 155 to kick cable 98 free of lever 151.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that this system embodies the important objects pointed out at the beginning. In the first place, the lire extinguishing medium is confined within containers and does not reach the distribution system until a re occurs. The main bank of containers is controlled by a. gas pressure operated device which is supplied from a similar group of containers. This gas after doing its work is delivered into the distribution system to do further work in fire extinguishing. As soon as the re extinguishing medium reaches the distribution system or passes the gas release devices a signal is operated at the control or guard station to indicate that fact. Pressure operated trips connected to the distribution system operate to close the doors and windows and actuate or stop any other devices which would aid the re. In general then this system automatically supplies a fire extinguishing gas to any spaces provided therewith to extinguish a fire and is under the control of temperature pressure operated devices which initiate the operation of the system. In addition, the

system may be initially set in operation manually. In addition to these features many other advantages and objects of the invention will be apparent from this detailed disclosure.

This invention resides in certain principles of construction and operation which have been. illus trated and described in connection with one physical form. As is apparent to those skilled in the art they can of course be embodied in other physical forms without the departure therefrom and I do not wish to be strictly limited for this reason to the disclosure but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

What I seek to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a fire extinguishing system comprising a container of fire vextinguishing fluid under pressure, a plurality of spaces to which the fire extinguishing fluid is to be conducted, a common conducting means for conducting the fire extincguishing Huid from the container, a separate branch conductor from the common conducting iii@ means leading to each place of use, a releasing means restraining the operation of the aforesaid releasing device being rendered ineffective by the opening of any one of the closing off devices.

2. In a fire extinguishing system comprising a container of fire extinguishing fluid under pressure, a plurality of spaces to which the re extinguishing uuid is to be conducted, a common conducting means for conducting the fire extinguishing fluid from the container,

its

separate branch conductor from the common conducting means leading to each place of use, a releasing device for releasing the re extinguishing uid from the container into the common conducting means, weight actuated means normally urging the releasing device to the released position, means for restraining the operation of the weight actuated means, means in each branch conductor for normally closing on. each place of use from the common conducting means, second weight actuated means normally urging each closing oi device to the open position, means for restraining the operation of the second Weight actuated means, and means for rendering ineffective the means restraining the operation oi the second weight actuated means, the means restraining the operation of the rst Weight actuated means being rendered ineffective by the operation of any one of the second weight actuated means.

3. In a re extinguishing system comprising a container of re extinguishing fluid under pressure, a plurality of spaces to which the nre extinguishing luid is to be conducted, a common conducting means for conducting the :fire extinguishing uid from the container, a separate branch conductor from the common conducting means leading to each place of use, a releasing device for releasing the re extinguishing uid from the container into the common conducting means, weight -actuated means normally urging the releasing device to the released position, means for restraining the operation o the weight actuated means, means'in each branch conductor for normally closing oi each place of use from the common conducting means, second Weight actuated means normally urging each closing oi device to the open position, means for' restraining the operation of the second Weight actuated means, means for rendering ineffective the means restraining the operation of the second weight actuated means, and a third Weight "urging the releasing device to the released posimeans means leading to each place o1' use, a releasing device for releasing the re extinguishing fluid from the container into the common conducting means, Weight actuated means normally tion, means for restraining the operation of the weight actuated means, means in each branch conductor for normally closing off each place of -use from the common conducting means, second weight actuated means normally urging each closing ofi devicev to the open position, means for restraining the operation of the second weight actuated means, means for rendering ineffective the means restraining the operation of the second Weight actuated means, and a third `Weight actuated means to render ineffective the means restraining the operation of the iirst Weight actuated means, the Weight of the third weight actuated means being designed to rest upon the weight of the second weight actuated means and to render ineffective the means restrainingA the operation of the iirst weight actuated means upon movement of the Weight of a second Weight actuated means.

5. In a re extinguishing system comprising a container of lre extinguishing medium under pressure, a plurality of spaces to which the fire extinguishing medium is to be conducted, a common conducting means for conducting the re extinguishing medium from the container, a separate branch conductor from the common conducting means leading to each vplace of use, aJ releasing device for releasing the iire extinguishing medium from the container into the commonv conducting means, Weight actuated 1l? means normally urging the releasing device to the released position, means for restraining the operation of the weight actuated means, means in each branch conductor for normally closing off each place of use from the common conducti5 ing means, second Weight actuated means normally urging each closing ofi device to the open position, means for restraining the operation of the second weight actuated means, a rate of rise heat actuated means for rendering ineective the means restraining the operation of the second Weight actuated means, and a third weight actuated means to render ineiective the means restraining the operation of the rst Weight actuated means, the third weight actuated means being rendered eiective by the .operation of a second Weight actuated means.

izo

WAL'I'ER H. FREYGANG. 

